Capability indication method, terminal, and network-side network element

ABSTRACT

This disclosure provides a capability indication method, a terminal, and a network-side network element. The capability indication method includes: obtaining first information, where the first information includes at least one of the following: first indication information of a terminal capability, and terminal capability information mapped to the first indication information; and sending second indication information of the terminal capability based on the first information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 17/161,526 filed Jan. 28, 2021, which is a continuation applicationof International Application No. PCT/CN2019/098809 filed on Aug. 1,2019, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No.201810866295.9 filed in China on Aug. 1, 2018, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of communications technologies, andin particular, to a capability indication method, a terminal, and anetwork-side network element.

BACKGROUND

With evolution of network technologies, a terminal needs to support anincreasing quantity of capabilities, while the terminal also needs toreport an increasing quantity of capabilities to a network. Therefore,air interface load caused by terminal capability reporting isincreasing.

However, there is no definite conclusion on how to optimize terminalcapability reporting.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of this disclosure provide a capability indication method, aterminal, and a network-side network element, to resolve the problem ofno explicit conclusion on how to optimize terminal capability reporting.

According to a first aspect, an embodiment of this disclosure provides acapability indication method, applied to a terminal and including:

obtaining first information, where the first information includes atleast one of the following: first indication information of a terminalcapability, and terminal capability information mapped to the firstindication information; and

sending second indication information of the terminal capability basedon the first information.

According to a second aspect, an embodiment of this disclosure providesa capability indication method, applied to a first network-side networkelement and including:

obtaining second indication information of a terminal capability; and

performing at least one of the following operations based on the secondindication information of the terminal capability:

mapping the terminal capability based on the second indicationinformation of the terminal capability, saving the second indicationinformation of the terminal capability, and sending the secondindication information of the terminal capability to a first target end.

According to a third aspect, an embodiment of this disclosure provides acapability indication method, applied to a communications device andincluding:

obtaining terminal capability related information; and

assigning first information to a terminal based on the terminalcapability related information, where the first information includes atleast one of the following: first indication information of a terminalcapability, and terminal capability information mapped to the firstindication information.

According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of this disclosure furtherprovides a terminal, including:

a first obtaining module, configured to obtain first information, wherethe first information includes at least one of the following: firstindication information of a terminal capability, and terminal capabilityinformation mapped to the first indication information; and

a sending module, configured to send second indication information ofthe terminal capability based on the first information.

According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of this disclosure furtherprovides a first network-side network element, including:

a second obtaining module, configured to obtain second indicationinformation of a terminal capability; and

an execution module, configured to perform at least one of the followingoperations based on the second indication information of the terminalcapability:

mapping the terminal capability based on the second indicationinformation of the terminal capability, saving the second indicationinformation of the terminal capability, and sending the secondindication information of the terminal capability to a first target end.

According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of this disclosure furtherprovides a communications device, including:

a third obtaining module, configured to obtain terminal capabilityrelated information; and

an assigning module, configured to assign first information to aterminal based on the terminal capability related information, where thefirst information includes at least one of the following: firstindication information of a terminal capability, and terminal capabilityinformation mapped to the first indication information.

According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of this disclosure furtherprovides a communications device, including a memory, a processor, and acomputer program stored in the memory and capable of running on theprocessor, where when the computer program is executed by the processor,the steps of the foregoing capability indication method are implemented.

According to an eighth aspect, an embodiment of this disclosure furtherprovides a computer-readable storage medium, where the computer-readablestorage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer programis executed by a processor, the steps of the foregoing capabilityindication method are implemented.

It can be understood that in the embodiments of this disclosure,replacing terminal capability reporting with the terminal capabilityindication information can achieve an effect of optimizing and reducingterminal capability reporting. Further, this can not only ensure correctmapping of the terminal capability based on the capability indicationinformation and also meet a requirement that the same terminalcorresponds to different terminal capabilities in different conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of thisdisclosure more clearly, the following briefly describes theaccompanying drawings required for the embodiments of this disclosure.Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description showmerely some embodiments of this disclosure, and a person of ordinaryskill in the art may derive other drawings from these accompanyingdrawings without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart 1 of a capability indication method according toan embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart 2 of a capability indication method according toan embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart 3 of a capability indication method according toan embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart 1 of sending second indication informationaccording to an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart 2 of sending second indication informationaccording to an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart 1 of assigning first information according to anembodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart 2 of assigning first information according to anembodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart 3 of assigning first information according to anembodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram 1 of a terminal according to anembodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram 1 of a network-side networkelement according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communications deviceaccording to an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram 2 of a terminal according toan embodiment of this disclosure; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram 2 of a network-side networkelement according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First, it should be noted that a terminal capability may be divided intoa radio capability and a core network capability. For the radiocapability, a terminal may report its radio capability according to arequest of a network. For the core network capability, a terminal mayreport its network capability during registration.

The terminal may support a plurality of frequency bands and frequencies.With introduction of carrier aggregation (CA) and dual connectivity (DC)technologies, it is required to arrange and combine various possiblefrequencies, and frequency combinations supported by terminalmanufacturers may also vary, leading to a particularly huge quantitiesof wireless capabilities. In addition, with network evolution, morefeatures are introduced into networks, and different features usuallyrequire different wireless capabilities and network capabilities. For arelated network feature, the terminal needs to inform a network ofinformation about whether the feature is supported.

Generally, each terminal delivered from the factory has deviceidentification information, such as an international mobile equipmentidentity (IMEI). A type allocation code (TAC) may be included in theIMEI. The TAC typically is composed of 8 digits (6 digits in the earlystage), which is the code to distinguish between the brand and model ofa terminal. The code is assigned by GSMA and its authorized agencies.The first two digits of the TAC are also referred to as a reporting bodyidentifier which is the code of an authorized IMEI code distributionagency. For example, 01 is for the United States CTIA, 35 is for the UKBABT, and 86 is for the China TAF. With the TAC, a same terminal modelmay be identified uniquely. Capabilities of terminals with a sameterminal model are usually the same.

A software version number (SVN) may also be included in the IMEI. TheSVN may distinguish between different software versions used forterminals of a same model when the terminals are delivered from thefactory. The SVN exists only in some models of some brands. DifferentSVNs may correspond to different terminal capabilities.

Although a TAC and an SVN may correspond to a terminal capability, it isnot enough to use the TAC and the SVN as terminal capabilityidentification information, and the following problems may exist:

Problem 1: One terminal may support a plurality of networks, andfrequency bands supported by each network may be different. To saveenergy, capabilities reported by a same terminal may be different whenaccessing different networks.

Problem 2: Most of current terminals (such as mobile phones) usedual-card-dual-standby, and network access policies of an operator for aprimary card and a secondary card may be different. For a primary cardand a secondary card, capabilities reported by a terminal may also bedifferent. For example, when an operator UICC or SIM card is insertedinto the primary card slot, the terminal reports all capabilities, suchas a 2G network capability, a 3G network capability, and a 4G networkcapability; when the operator UICC or SIM card is inserted into thesecondary card slot, the terminal may only report the 2G networkcapability.

Problem 3: An operator might operate and maintain a plurality of typesof networks at the same time, such as a 2G network, a 3G network, a 4Gnetwork, a 5G network, an NB IOT network. Network identities (such as aPLMN ID) of different types of networks of a same operator may be thesame or different. According to some policies, a terminal might turn offcapabilities for some network types. For example, when a 5G network doesnot support the IMS voice, a voice centric terminal may turn off the 5Gradio capability.

In view of the foregoing problems, it is known that the capability of asame terminal in different scenarios may be different; capabilities ofdifferent terminals with a same TAC and SVN may also be different, andcurrent real capabilities of a terminal cannot be mapped only based onthe TAC and the SVN.

In the embodiments of this disclosure, terminal capabilityidentification information may be used to identify a terminalcapability. There is a mapping relationship between the terminalcapability identification information and the terminal capability, andthe terminal capability may be obtained through mapping by using theterminal capability identification information. The terminal capabilityidentification information may be mapped to terminal capabilities in aset of categories, or entire terminal capabilities. Because the terminalcapability identification information is smaller in size than theterminal capability, an effect of saving capability signalingoptimization can be achieved.

Optionally, one terminal may have one or more pieces of the terminalcapability identification information.

In the embodiments of this disclosure, a serving network is a networkproviding access for a terminal, and may be an operator's network or adedicated network, or a public communications network, or a privatecommunications network. Optionally, an identifier of the serving networkmay be a PLMN or another one (such as an identifier configured by aprivate communications network itself).

In the embodiments of this disclosure, a network type may include but isnot limited to at least one of the following: a type of a communicationsnetwork, a type of a radio access technology, a type of a radio accessnetwork, and a network era.

Optionally, a type of a communications network may include but is notlimited to at least one of the following: GSM, EDGE, GPRS, GSM-CS,GSM-PS, CS, PS, CDMA, 3GPP2, 1×CS, EPS, and 5GS.

Optionally, a type of a radio access technology may include but is notlimited to any one of the following: GERAN, GERAN-CS, GERAN-PS, EDGE,UTRA, TD-SCDMA, WCDMA, HSPA, CDMA, CDMA 2000, 3GPP2 1×CS,cdma2000-1×RTT, EUTRA, LTE FDD, LTE TDD, 3GPP, N3GPP, 3GPP2, WLAN, NBIOT, NG RAN, EUTRA-NR, and NR.

Optionally, a type of a radio access network may include but is notlimited to any one of the following: GERAN, GERAN-CS, GERAN-PS, EDGE,UTRAN, TD-SCDMA, WCDMA, HSPA, CDMA, CDMA 2000, 3GPP2 1×CS,cdma2000-1×RTT, EUTRAN, LTE FDD, LTE TDD, 3GPP, N3GPP, 3GPP2, WLAN, NBIOT, NG RAN, EUTRA-NR, and NR.

Optionally, a network era may include but is not limited to any one ofthe following: a 2G network, a 3G network, a 4G network, and a 5Gnetwork.

In the embodiments of this disclosure, a terminal capability may includeat least one of the following: a UE core network capability and a UEradio capability. The UE core network capability may also be referred toas a UE network capability or a non-access stratum (NAS) capability.

Optionally, the terminal radio capability may include at least one ofthe following: a carrier aggregation CA capability and a dualconnectivity DC capability.

Optionally, the UE network capability may include at least one of thefollowing: a 5G session management capability, a 5G mobility managementcapability, a user equipment network capability (UE Network capability),a mobile station network capability (MS Network capability), and thelike.

Optionally, the UE network capability may include at least one of thefollowing: a 5G network capability, a 4G network capability (such as aUE Network capability), a 3G network capability (such as an MS Networkcapability), and the like.

In the embodiments of this disclosure, “capability” and “terminalcapability” may have the same meaning, and may be used interchangeably.

In the embodiments of this disclosure, “capability identificationinformation” and “terminal capability identification information” mayhave the same meaning, and may be used interchangeably.

In the embodiments of this disclosure, “card” may be, but is not limitedto, one of the following: a UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card), aSIM (Subscriber Identity Module), an eSIM, and an eUICC. A card may be aphysical card. Further, the Nth card may refer to a serving network carddisposed in the Nth slot. A primary card may refer to a serving networkcard disposed in the primary card slot, and a secondary card may referto a serving network card disposed in the secondary card card slot. Cardlocation information may also be referred to as information of a cardslot.

A card may also be an electronic card. A serving network may configure aplurality of cards for a terminal.

In the embodiments of this disclosure, applicable range information ofthe terminal capability identification information may be embodied as atleast one of the following: applicable condition information of theterminal capability identification information and type information ofthe terminal capability identification information.

The following clearly describes the technical solutions in theembodiments of this disclosure with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in the embodiments of this disclosure. Apparently, thedescribed embodiments are some rather than all of the embodiments ofthis disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinaryskill in the art based on the embodiments of this disclosure withoutcreative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of thisdisclosure.

In the embodiments of this disclosure, a network element may be one ofthe following: a physical device, a network function entity, and anetwork unit.

In the embodiments of this disclosure, a core-network network element(CN network element) may include but is not limited to at least one ofthe following: a core network device, a core network node, a corenetwork function, a core-network network element, a mobility managemententity (MME), an access mobility management function (AMF), a sessionmanagement function (SMF), a user plane function (UPF), a servinggateway (SGW), a PDN gateway (PDN Gate Way), a policy control function(PCF), a policy and charging rules function unit (PCRF), a GPRS servicesupport node (SGSN), a gateway GPRS support node (GGSN), and a radioaccess network device.

In the embodiments of this disclosure, a radio access network networkelement (RAN network element) may include but is not limited to at leastone of the following: a radio access network device, a radio accessnetwork node, a radio access network function, a radio access networkunit, a 3GPP radio access network, a non-3GPP radio access network, acentralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a base station, anevolved Node B (eNB), a 5G base station (gNB), a radio networkcontroller (RNC), a base station (NodeB), a non-3GPP interworkingfunction (N3IWF), an access controller (AC) node, an access point (AP)device, or a wireless local area network (WLAN) node.

A base station may be a base transceiver station (BTS) in GSM or CDMA,or may be a NodeB in WCDMA, or may be an evolved NodeB (eNB or e-Node B,evolved Node B) in LTE, or a 5G NodeB (gNB), which is not limited in theembodiments of this disclosure.

In the embodiments of this disclosure, a network-side network elementmay include at least one of the following: a CN network element and aRAN network element.

In the embodiments of this disclosure, a terminal may include a relaysupporting the terminal capability. A terminal may also be referred toas a terminal device or a user equipment (UE). The terminal may be aterminal-side device such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptopcomputer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile internet device(MID), a wearable device, or an in-vehicle device. It should be notedthat the specific type of the terminal is not limited in the embodimentsof this disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 1 , an embodiment of this disclosure provides acapability indication method, which may be applied to a terminal(including a relay with the terminal capability) and include thefollowing steps.

Step 101: Obtain first information.

Step 102: Send second indication information of a terminal capabilitybased on the first information.

Obtaining in step 101 may be understood as obtaining from configuration,obtaining through receiving, obtaining through receiving upon a request,or obtaining by means of processing received information, which may bespecifically determined based on an actual requirement. This is notlimited in this embodiment of this disclosure.

In step 102, the second indication information of the terminalcapability may be sent to at least one of the following: a network-sidenetwork element, a CN network element, a RAN network element, and arelay. When the terminal accesses a network through a relay, theterminal may send the second indication information of the terminalcapability to the relay.

Optionally, the first information includes at least one of thefollowing: first indication information of a terminal capability, andterminal capability information mapped to the first indicationinformation.

Optionally, the first indication information of the terminal capabilitymay include at least one of the following: terminal model information,assistance information for capability indication, and terminalcapability identification information.

It should be noted that there may be one or more pieces of the firstindication information of the terminal capability of a same terminal ordifferent terminals of a same model. There may be one or more pieces ofthe terminal assistance information for capability indication of a sameterminal or different terminals of a same model. There may be one ormore pieces of the terminal capability identification information of asame terminal or different terminals of a same model.

Optionally, the second indication information of the terminal capabilitymay include at least one of the following: terminal model information,assistance information for capability indication, and terminalcapability identification information.

In an implementation, the first indication information of the terminalcapability includes terminal model information and assistanceinformation for capability indication. The terminal model informationand the assistance information for capability indication may correspondto the terminal capability. The terminal capabilities of differentterminals of a same model may be different. The terminal capability of asame terminal may be different in a different applicable range (orreferred to as a condition). A same terminal may include one or morepieces of assistance information for capability indication. In order toenable mapping of a terminal capability in a specific condition, valuestaken for the assistance information for capability indication indifferent corresponding conditions may be different, and may be used fordifferent terminal capabilities in different corresponding conditions.Different assistance information for capability indication may indicatedifferent terminal capabilities. It is easy to understand that when aterminal has different terminal capabilities in different conditions,the terminal may obtain a plurality of pieces of assistance informationfor capability indication. The terminal may send different assistanceinformation for capability indication in different conditions. When aspecific condition is satisfied, the terminal may include, in the secondindication information, assistance information for capability indicationcorresponding to the terminal capability in the condition.

In another implementation, the first indication information of theterminal capability includes terminal capability identificationinformation. The terminal capability identification information maycorrespond to the terminal capability. The terminal capabilities ofdifferent terminals of a same model may be different. The terminalcapability of a same terminal may be different in a different applicablerange (or referred to as a condition). A same terminal may include oneor more pieces of the terminal capability identification information. Inorder to enable mapping of a terminal capability in a specificcondition, values taken for the terminal capability identificationinformation in different corresponding conditions may be different.Different terminal capability identification information may indicatedifferent terminal capabilities. It is easy to understand that when aterminal has different terminal capabilities in different conditions,the terminal may obtain a plurality of pieces of the terminal capabilityidentification information. When a specific condition is satisfied, theterminal may include, in the second indication information, terminalcapability identification information corresponding to the terminalcapability in the condition.

Further, the first indication information of the terminal capability orthe second indication information of the terminal capability mayindicate the terminal capability that the terminal supports, and/or mayindicate the terminal capability that the terminal does not support. Inan implementation, the first indication information includes at leastone of the following: indication information mapped to a terminalcapability supported by the terminal and indication information mappedto a terminal capability not supported by the terminal.

Further, the assistance information for capability indication may beused to map to a terminal capability supported by the terminal and/or aterminal capability not supported by the terminal. In an implementation,first indication information includes at least one of the following:assistance information for capability indication mapped to the terminalcapability supported by the terminal and assistance information forcapability indication mapped to the terminal capability not supported bythe terminal.

Further, the terminal capability identification information may be usedto map to a terminal capability supported by the terminal and/or map toa terminal capability not supported by the terminal. In animplementation, the first indication information includes at least oneof the following: terminal capability identification information mappedto the terminal capability supported by the terminal and terminalcapability identification information mapped to the terminal capabilitynot supported by the terminal.

It should be noted that the first indication information of the terminalcapability and the second indication information of the terminalcapability may be the same, or may be different. In an implementation,the first indication information of the terminal capability may includethe terminal capability identification information and the applicablerange information of the terminal capability identification information;the second indication information of the terminal capability may includethe terminal capability identification information, and may not includethe applicable range information of the capability identifier. It iseasy to understand that with the applicable range information of theterminal capability identification information in the first indicationinformation, the terminal capability identification information to beincluded in the second indication information can be determined. Theterminal capability identification information may assist the network inobtaining, through mapping, and obtain the terminal capabilityinformation. In another implementation, both the first indicationinformation of the terminal capability and the second indicationinformation of the terminal capability may include the terminal modelinformation and the assistance information for capability indication. Itis easy to understand that with the assistance information forcapability indication in the first indication information, theassistance information for capability indication to be included in thesecond indication information can be determined. The terminal modelinformation and the assistance information for capability indication mayassist the network in obtaining, through mapping, and obtain theterminal capability information.

Optionally, the terminal model information may include at least one ofthe following: a terminal manufacturer identifier, a type allocationcode (such as a TAC), and a software version number (such as an SVN).

Optionally, the assistance information for capability indication mayinclude at least one of the following: information of a card slotcorresponding to a capability, information of a card corresponding to acapability (such as information of a card of a physical card, andinformation of a card of an electronic card), information of a servingnetwork corresponding to a capability, information of a network typecorresponding to a capability, and capability type indicationinformation.

Further, the information of a card slot corresponding to the capabilitymay include at least one of the following: identification information ofa card slot, a card slot serial number, information of a first cardslot, information of a second card slot, indication informationindicating a primary card slot or a secondary card slot, indicationinformation of whether the capability is applicable to all card slots,and indication information of whether the capability is indiscriminatebetween card slots. It can be understood that in a specificimplementation, the first card slot may be the card slot correspondingto the primary card of the terminal, and the second card slot may be thecard slot corresponding to the secondary card of the terminal.

In an implementation, the information of a card slot of the terminal mayfurther distinguish between information of a card slot of the primarycard and information of a card slot of the secondary card. It is easy tounderstand that the information of a card slot corresponding to thecapability may assist the network in obtaining, through mapping, theterminal capability corresponding to a corresponding card slot for theterminal.

Further, the information of a card corresponding to the capability mayinclude at least one of the following: a serial number of a card, aserial number of a card slot in which the card is located, indicationinformation indicating a primary card or a secondary card, indicationinformation of whether the capability is applicable to all cards, andindication information of whether the capability is indiscriminatebetween cards. It is easy to understand that the information of a cardcorresponding to the capability may assist the network in obtaining,through mapping, the terminal capability corresponding to acorresponding card for the terminal.

Further, the capability type indication information may include at leastone of the following: radio capability indication information andnetwork capability indication information.

Further, the information of a serving network corresponding to acapability may include at least one of the following: networkidentification information of a serving network, indication informationof whether the capability is applicable to all serving networks, andindication information of whether the capability is indiscriminatebetween serving networks.

Further, the network identification information may include: a publiccommunications network identifier (such as a PLMN), a privatecommunications network identifier (such as a Type A network identifier,or a Type B network identifier).

It is easy to understand that the network identification information mayassist the network in obtaining, through mapping, corresponding terminalcapabilities of the terminal in different networks. For example, for asame terminal, the terminal capability in roaming may be different fromthat in accessing a home network; for different terminals of a samemodel, the terminal capability may be the same in accessing a samenetwork when one terminal is in roaming and another terminal isaccessing a home network. For another example, when a radio accessnetwork is shared by a plurality of operator networks, the radio accessnetwork may learn the to-be-accessed network capability of the terminalbased on the network identification information. Still for anotherexample, for an equivalent network, when the network identificationinformation (such as a PLMN) of the terminal is changed, a differentterminal capability may be mapped.

Further, the information of a network type corresponding to a capabilitymay include at least one of the following: a network type, indicationinformation of whether the capability is applicable to all networktypes, and indication information of whether the capability isindiscriminate between network types. The network type information mayindicate the capability of the network type currently supported by theterminal, or indicate the capability of the network type currently notsupported by the terminal.

It is easy to understand that with the network type information, thenetwork may map terminal capabilities of the terminal in differentnetwork types. For example, for different terminals of a same model, oneterminal is data centric and may enable a 5G network capability; andanother terminal is voice centric and may disable the 5G networkcapability when it is determined that the 5G network does not supportthe voice service.

Further, the terminal capability may be a terminal capabilitycorresponding to any one of a serving network, a card, a card slot, anda network type, or a combination thereof. The terminal capabilityindication information may be terminal capability indication informationcorresponding to any one of a serving network, a card, a card slot, anda network type, or a combination thereof. For example, the terminalcapability identification information of the China Mobile primary cardis 2, 3, and 4, respectively mapped to the 2G network capability, the 3Gnetwork capability, and the 4G network capability that the terminal haswhen accessing the China Mobile network through the primary card. Forexample, the terminal capability identification information of the ChinaMobile primary card is 1, 4, and 5, which may be respectively mapped tothe 2G network capability and the 3G network capability (1), and the 4Gnetwork capability (4) and the 5G network capability (5) that theterminal has when accessing the China Mobile network through the primarycard. One identifier may be used to map the capabilities of the 2Gnetwork and the 3G network.

Optionally, the terminal capability identification information mayinclude at least one of the following: a capability identifier andapplicable range information of the capability identifier.

Further, at least one of the following may be included in the capabilityidentification: a terminal model information, applicable rangeinformation of the capability identification, and a shortened valuegenerated by the terminal capability through a Hash function.

In an implementation, the terminal capability identification informationmay be further divided into: capability identification information of aterminal radio capability, and capability identification information ofa UE core network capability. The capability identification informationof a terminal radio capability may be further divided into at least oneof the following: capability identification information of a DCcapability, capability identification information of a CA capability,and capability identification information of another capability. In animplementation, only the DC capability and the CA capability areassigned with an identifier for mapping.

In an implementation, the terminal capability identification informationmay be further divided into: capability identification informationcorresponding to a serving network, capability identificationinformation corresponding to a network type, and capabilityidentification information corresponding to a card, and capabilityidentification information corresponding to a terminal card slot.

In an implementation, the capability identification informationcorresponding to the card slot may be further divided into at least oneof the following: capability identification information corresponding toa first card slot and capability identification informationcorresponding to a second card slot.

It should be noted, in a specific implementation, the Nth card may be aphysical card located within the Nth card slot, or the Nth electroniccard. The first card may be the primary card of the terminal, and thesecond card may be the secondary card of the terminal. The first cardslot may be the card slot corresponding to the primary card of theterminal, and the second card slot may be the card slot corresponding tothe secondary card of the terminal. Correspondingly, the first card maybe the primary card, and the second card may be the secondary card.

The capability identification information corresponding to the servingnetwork may be capability identification information configured for anetwork (which may be a public communications network or a privatecommunications network). The capability identification informationcorresponding to the network type may be capabilities of the terminal inone or more serving networks. The capability identification informationof different network types may be different. It is easy to understandthat for a same terminal, the terminal capability in roaming may bedifferent from that in accessing a home network. The capabilityidentification information corresponding to the serving network mayassist the network in obtaining, through mapping, the terminalcapability of the terminal in a current access network.

In an implementation, the terminal capability identification informationcorresponding to the serving network may be further divided into:capability identification information of the serving networkcorresponding to each card (such as the Nth card), capabilityidentification information of the serving network corresponding to eachnetwork type, capability identification information of the servingnetwork corresponding to the primary card, and capability identificationinformation of the serving network corresponding to the secondary card.

In an implementation, the terminal capability identification informationcorresponding to the Nth card for the serving network may be furtherdivided into: capability identification information corresponding to theNth card for the serving network in each network type of the servingnetwork.

The capability identification information corresponding to the networktype may be capabilities of a terminal in one or more network types. Thecapability identification information of different network types may bedifferent. It is easy to understand that the capability identificationinformation corresponding to the network type may assist the network inobtaining, through mapping, terminal capabilities of a terminal indifferent network types.

Optionally, the applicable range information of the capabilityidentifier may include at least one of the following: information of acard corresponding to the capability identifier, information of a cardslot corresponding to the capability identifier, information of aserving network corresponding to the capability identifier, andinformation of a network type corresponding to the capabilityidentifier. In an implementation, the applicable range information ofthe capability identifier is consistent with the applicable rangeinformation of the capability. The applicable range information of thecapability may also be referred to as the assistance information forcapability indication.

Specifically, when the first indication information of the terminalcapability includes the applicable range information of the terminalcapability identification information, the applicable range informationof the terminal capability identification information may be embodied asan applicable condition information of the terminal capabilityidentification information.

Specifically, when the second indication information of the terminalcapability includes the applicable range information of the terminalcapability identification information, the applicable range informationof the terminal capability identification information may be embodied asthe type information of the terminal capability identificationinformation.

Further, the information of a card corresponding to the capabilityidentifier may include at least one of the following: a serial number ofa card, information of a card slot in which the card is located,indication information indicating a primary card or a secondary card,indication information of whether the capability is applicable to allcards, and indication information of whether the capability isindiscriminate between cards. It is easy to understand that theinformation of a card corresponding to the capability may assist thenetwork in obtaining, through mapping, the terminal capabilitycorresponding to a corresponding card for the terminal.

Further, the information of a card slot corresponding to the capabilityidentifier may include at least one of the following: identificationinformation of a card slot, a card slot serial number, information of afirst card slot, information of a second card slot, indicationinformation indicating a primary card slot or a secondary card slot,indication information of whether the capability is applicable to allcard slots, and indication information of whether the capability isindiscriminate between card slots.

It can be understood that in a specific implementation, the first cardslot may be the card slot corresponding to the primary card of theterminal, and the second card slot may be the card slot corresponding tothe secondary card of the terminal. In an implementation, theinformation of a card slot of the terminal may further distinguishbetween information of a card slot of the primary card and informationof a card slot of the secondary card. It is easy to understand that theinformation of a card slot corresponding to the capability may assistthe network in obtaining, through mapping, the terminal capabilitycorresponding to a corresponding card slot for the terminal.

Further, the information of a serving network corresponding to thecapability identifier may include at least one of the following: networkidentification information of a serving network, indication informationof whether the capability identifier is applicable to all servingnetworks, and indication information of whether the capabilityidentifier is indiscriminate between serving networks.

Further, the information of a network type corresponding to thecapability identifier includes at least one of the following: a networktype, indication information of whether the capability identifier isapplicable to all network types, and indication information of whetherthe capability identifier is indiscriminate between network types.

In this embodiment of this disclosure, the step 102 of sending secondindication information of a terminal capability based on the firstinformation may further include:

sending the second indication information of the terminal capabilitybased on the first information and access information of the terminal.

The access information of the terminal may include at least one of thefollowing:

a serving network that the terminal accesses, a location of a card foraccessing a serving network by the terminal, a card slot in which a cardfor accessing a serving network by the terminal is located, the Nth cardthrough which the terminal accesses the serving network, and a networktype of the serving network that the terminal accesses.

Optionally, the following step may be included before the terminal sendsthe second indication information of the terminal capability:

selecting the second indication information based on the firstinformation.

Further, the selecting the second indication information based on thefirst information may include at least one of the following:

selecting, based on the terminal assistance information for capabilityindication and/or the access information of the terminal, terminalassistance information for capability indication to be included in thesecond indication information; and

selecting, based on the terminal capability identification informationand/or the access information of the terminal, terminal capabilityidentification information to be included in the second indicationinformation.

The second indication information of the terminal capability is selectedbased on the first information and the access information of theterminal.

In an implementation, when a plurality of pieces of assistanceinformation for capability indication are included in the firstindication information, the terminal may select, based on the terminalassistance information for capability indication and/or the accessinformation of the terminal, terminal assistance information forcapability indication to be included in the second indicationinformation, and send the second indication information.

In another implementation, when a plurality of pieces of terminalcapability identification information are included in the firstindication information, the terminal may select, based on the applicablerange of the terminal capability identification and/or the accessinformation of the terminal, terminal capability identificationinformation to be included in the second indication information, andsend the second indication information.

In another implementation, when there are a plurality of pieces of firstindication information, the terminal may select the second indicationinformation of the terminal capability based on the first informationand the access information of the terminal, and send the secondindication information.

In an implementation, the first indication information may include aplurality of pieces of terminal assistance information for capabilityindication mapped to different terminal capabilities. Capabilityassistance information that satisfies a condition may be selected, basedon terminal assistance information for capability indication, to beincluded in the second indication information.

In another implementation, the first indication information includes aplurality of pieces of terminal capability identification informationmapped to different terminal capabilities. Terminal capabilityidentification information that satisfies a condition may be selected,based on the applicable range information of the terminal capabilityidentification information, to be included in the second indicationinformation.

Specifically, the foregoing process of sending second indicationinformation of the terminal capability may be at least one of thefollowing:

when the terminal accesses a first network through the Nth card, sendingcapability identification information corresponding to the Nth card;

when the terminal accesses a first network through the Nth card, sendingcapability identification information corresponding to the Nth card forthe first network;

when the terminal accesses a first network through the Nth card, sendingcapability identification information corresponding to the Nth card forthe first network, where the capability identification informationincludes capability identification information, corresponding to one ormore network types, of the terminal in the first network;

when the terminal accesses a first network, sending capabilityidentification information corresponding to the first network;

when the terminal accesses a first network, sending capabilityidentification information, corresponding to one or more network types,of the terminal in the first network; and

when the terminal accesses a network of a first network type, sendingcapability identification information corresponding to the first networktype,

where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1, the Nth cardfor the first network may be a card (such as a physical card) for thefirst network installed in the Nth card slot of the terminal, or the Ncard (such as an electronic card) that the first network configures forthe terminal. For example, the foregoing N may be equal to 1 or 2, thefirst card may be referred to as a primary card, and the second card maybe referred to as a secondary card.

It is easy to understand that the foregoing first network only refers toa specific network that the terminal is connected to, and does not limitthis embodiment of this disclosure.

For example, it is assumed that a terminal A may access the firstnetwork through the primary card and the secondary card. When accessingthe first network (such as the China Mobile network) through the primarycard, the terminal A may send the capability identification informationof the first network corresponding to the primary card. The capabilityidentification information of the first network corresponding to theprimary card may be one or more capability identifications. Thecapability identification information of the first network correspondingto the primary card may be formed by capability identificationinformation, corresponding to one or more network types, of the terminalin the first network, such as the capability identifier corresponding tothe 2G network, the capability identifier corresponding to the 3Gnetwork, and the capability identifier corresponding to the 4G network.

The applicable ranges corresponding to the three capability identifiersmay be a capability identifier applied to the first network, the primarycard, and a network type of 2G; a capability identifier applied to thefirst network, the primary card, and a network type of 3G; and acapability identifier applied to the first network, the primary card,and a network type of 4G.

When accessing the first network through the secondary card, theterminal may send the capability identification information of the firstnetwork corresponding to the secondary card. The capabilityidentification information of the first network corresponding to thesecondary card may be formed by capability identification information,corresponding to one or more network types, of the terminal in the firstnetwork, such as the capability identifier corresponding to the 2Gnetwork. The applicable range of the capability identifier may be acapability identifier applied to the first network, the secondary card,and a network type of 3G.

In this embodiment of this disclosure, optionally, the step 102 ofsending second indication information of a terminal capability based onthe first information may further include:

when the terminal accesses a network, sending the second indicationinformation of the terminal capability; or,

when the network requests for terminal capability information, sendingthe second indication information of the terminal capability.

Optionally, in this embodiment of this disclosure, the terminalcapability may include at least one of the following: a UE core networkcapability and a UE radio capability.

Optionally, the terminal radio capability may include at least one ofthe following: a carrier aggregation capability and a dual connectivitycapability.

It can be understood that in this embodiment of this disclosure,replacing terminal capability reporting with the terminal capabilityindication information can achieve an effect of optimizing and reducingterminal capability reporting. Further, this can not only ensure correctmapping of the terminal capability based on the capability indicationinformation and also meet a requirement that the same terminalcorresponds to different terminal capabilities in different conditions.

In an implementation, terminal model information and assistanceinformation for capability indication are used to replace terminalcapability reporting. When corresponding terminal capabilities of theterminal in different applicable ranges (which may also be referred toas conditions) are different, the terminal may be configured withdifferent assistance information for capability indication, to ensurethat the terminal model information and the assistance information forcapability indication correspond to the terminal capability. Theterminal may send different assistance information for capabilityindication in different conditions. When a specific condition issatisfied, the terminal sends the assistance information for capabilityindication matching the condition.

In another implementation, capability identification information is usedto replace terminal capability reporting. When terminal capabilities ofthe terminal in different applicable ranges (which may also be referredto as conditions) are different, the same terminal may be configuredwith a plurality of pieces of capability identification information, toensure that the terminal capability identification informationcorresponds to the terminal capability. The terminal may send differentcapability identification information in different conditions. When aspecific condition is satisfied, the terminal sends the capabilityidentification information matching the condition.

Therefore, further, this can not only ensure correct mapping of theterminal capability based on the capability indication information andalso meet a requirement that the same terminal corresponds to differentterminal capabilities in different conditions.

With reference to FIG. 2 , an embodiment of this disclosure furtherprovides a capability indication method, applied to a first network-sidenetwork element and including the following steps.

Step 201: Obtain second indication information of a terminal capability.

Optionally, the second indication information of the terminal capabilitymay include at least one of the following: terminal model information,assistance information for capability indication, and terminalcapability identification information.

Step 202: Perform at least one of the following operations based on thesecond indication information of the terminal capability:

mapping the terminal capability based on the second indicationinformation of the terminal capability, saving the second indicationinformation of the terminal capability, and sending the secondindication information of the terminal capability to a first target end.

Optionally, the terminal capability may include at least one of thefollowing: a UE core network capability and a UE radio capability.

Optionally, the terminal radio capability may include at least one ofthe following: a carrier aggregation CA capability and a dualconnectivity DC capability.

It should be noted that the first network-side network element may beone of the following: a RAN network element and a CN network element.The CN network element may be one of the following: an AMF, a PCF, aPCRF, an OAM, a capability management function network element, and thelike. The RAN network element may be one of the following: a gNB, and aneNB. The first target end may include at least one of the following: aterminal and a CN network element.

Optionally, the second indication information of the terminal capabilitymay include at least one of the following: terminal model information,assistance information for capability indication, and terminalcapability identification information.

Further, the terminal model information may include at least one of thefollowing: a terminal manufacturer identifier, a type allocation code(such as a TAC), and a software version number (such as an SVN).

Optionally, the assistance information for capability indication mayinclude at least one of the following: information of a card slotcorresponding to a capability, information of a card corresponding to acapability (such as information of a card of a physical card, andinformation of a card of an electronic card), information of a servingnetwork corresponding to a capability, information of a network typecorresponding to a capability, and capability type indicationinformation.

Further, the information of a card slot corresponding to the capabilitymay include at least one of the following: identification information ofa card slot, a card slot serial number, information of a first cardslot, information of a second card slot, indication informationindicating a primary card slot or a secondary card slot, indicationinformation of whether the capability is applicable to all card slots,and indication information of whether the capability is indiscriminatebetween card slots. It can be understood that in a specificimplementation, the first card slot may be the card slot correspondingto the primary card of the terminal, and the second card slot may be thecard slot corresponding to the secondary card of the terminal.

In an implementation, the information of a card slot of the terminal mayfurther distinguish between information of a card slot of the primarycard and information of a card slot of the secondary card. It is easy tounderstand that the information of a card slot corresponding to thecapability may assist the network in obtaining, through mapping, theterminal capability corresponding to a corresponding card slot for theterminal.

Further, the information of a card corresponding to the capability mayinclude at least one of the following: a serial number of a card, aserial number of a card slot in which the card is located, indicationinformation indicating a primary card or a secondary card, indicationinformation of whether the capability is applicable to all cards, andindication information of whether the capability is indiscriminatebetween cards. It is easy to understand that the information of a cardcorresponding to the capability may assist the network in obtaining,through mapping, the terminal capability corresponding to acorresponding card for the terminal.

Further, the capability type indication information may include at leastone of the following: radio capability indication information andnetwork capability indication information.

Further, the information of a serving network corresponding to acapability may include at least one of the following: networkidentification information of a serving network, indication informationof whether the capability is applicable to all serving networks, andindication information of whether the capability is indiscriminatebetween serving networks. Further, the network identificationinformation may include: a public communications network identifier(such as a PLMN), a private communications network identifier (such as aType A network identifier, or a Type B network identifier).

Further, the information of a network type corresponding to a capabilitymay include at least one of the following: a network type, indicationinformation of whether the capability is applicable to all networktypes, and indication information of whether the capability isindiscriminate between network types. The network type information mayindicate the capability of the network type currently supported by theterminal, or indicate the capability of the network type currently notsupported by the terminal.

Optionally, the terminal capability identification information mayinclude at least one of the following: a capability identifier andapplicable range information of the capability identifier.

Further, at least one of the following may be included in the capabilityidentification: a terminal model information, applicable rangeinformation of the capability identification, and a shortened valuegenerated by the terminal capability through a Hash function.

In an implementation, the terminal capability identification informationmay be further divided into: capability identification information of aterminal radio capability, and capability identification information ofa UE core network capability. The capability identification informationof a terminal radio capability may be further divided into at least oneof the following: capability identification information of a DCcapability, capability identification information of a CA capability,and capability identification information of another capability. In animplementation, only a DC capability and a CA capability are assignedwith an identifier for mapping.

In an implementation, the terminal capability identification informationmay be further divided into: capability identification informationcorresponding to a serving network, capability identificationinformation corresponding to a network type, capability identificationinformation corresponding to a card, and capability identificationinformation corresponding to a card slot.

In an implementation, the capability identification informationcorresponding to the card slot may be further divided into at least oneof the following: capability identification information corresponding toa first card slot, and capability identification informationcorresponding to a second card slot.

It should be noted, in a specific implementation, the Nth card may be aphysical card located within the Nth card slot, or the Nth electroniccard. The first card may be the primary card of the terminal, and thesecond card may be the secondary card of the terminal. The first cardslot may be the card slot corresponding to the primary card of theterminal, and the second card slot may be the card slot corresponding tothe secondary card of the terminal. Correspondingly, the first card maybe the primary card, and the second card may be the secondary card.

The capability identification information corresponding to the servingnetwork may be capability identification information configured for anetwork (which may be a public communications network or a privatecommunications network). It is easy to understand that for a sameterminal, the terminal capability in roaming may be different from thatin accessing a home network. The capability identification informationcorresponding to the serving network may assist the network inobtaining, through mapping, a terminal capability of a terminal in thecurrent access network.

In an implementation, the terminal capability identification informationcorresponding to the serving network may be further divided into:capability identification information of the serving networkcorresponding to each card (such as the Nth card), capabilityidentification information of the serving network corresponding to eachnetwork type, capability identification information of the servingnetwork corresponding to the primary card, and capability identificationinformation of the serving network corresponding to the secondary card.

In an implementation, the terminal capability identification informationcorresponding to the Nth card for the serving network may be furtherdivided into: capability identification information corresponding to theNth card for the serving network in each network type of the servingnetwork.

The capability identification information corresponding to the networktype may be the capability of a terminal in a specific network type. Itis easy to understand that the capability identification informationcorresponding to the network type may assist the network in obtaining,through mapping, terminal capabilities of a terminal in differentnetwork types.

Optionally, the applicable range information of the capabilityidentifier may include at least one of the following: information of acard corresponding to the capability identifier, information of a cardslot corresponding to the capability identifier, information of aserving network corresponding to the capability identifier, andinformation of a network type corresponding to the capabilityidentifier. In an implementation, the applicable range information ofthe capability identifier is consistent with the applicable rangeinformation of the capability. The applicable range information of thecapability may also be referred to as the assistance information forcapability indication.

Further, the information of a card corresponding to the capabilityidentifier may include at least one of the following: a serial number ofa card, information of a card slot in which the card is located,indication information indicating a primary card or a secondary card,indication information of whether the capability is applicable to allcards, and indication information of whether the capability isindiscriminate between cards. It is easy to understand that theinformation of a card corresponding to the capability may assist thenetwork in obtaining, through mapping, the terminal capabilitycorresponding to a corresponding card for the terminal.

Further, the information of a card slot corresponding to the capabilityidentifier may include at least one of the following: identificationinformation of a card slot, a card slot serial number, information of afirst card slot, information of a second card slot, indicationinformation indicating a primary card slot or a secondary card slot,indication information of whether the capability is applicable to allcard slots, and indication information of whether the capability isindiscriminate between card slots. It can be understood that in aspecific implementation, the first card slot may be the card slotcorresponding to the primary card of the terminal, and the second cardslot may be the card slot corresponding to the secondary card of theterminal. In an implementation, the information of a card slot of theterminal may further distinguish between information of a card slot ofthe primary card and information of a card slot of the secondary card.It is easy to understand that the information of a card slotcorresponding to the capability may assist the network in obtaining,through mapping, the terminal capability corresponding to acorresponding card slot for the terminal.

Further, the information of a serving network corresponding to thecapability identifier may include at least one of the following: networkidentification information of a serving network, indication informationof whether the capability identifier is applicable to all servingnetworks, and indication information of whether the capabilityidentifier is indiscriminate between serving networks.

Further, the information of a network type corresponding to thecapability identifier includes at least one of the following: a networktype, indication information of whether the capability identifier isapplicable to all network types, and indication information of whetherthe capability identifier is indiscriminate between network types.

It can be understood that the first network-side network element mayobtain the second indication information of the terminal capability fromat least one of the following: a terminal, a RAN network element, and aCN network element. In an implementation: after receiving the secondindication information from the terminal, the first RAN network elementmay send the second indication information to at least one of thefollowing: a CN network element and a second RAN network element. Forexample, when the first RAN network element switches to the second RANnetwork element, or during a process that the second RAN network elementobtains the context of the first RAN network element, the first RANnetwork element sends the second indication information to the secondRAN network element.

In another implementation: after receiving the second indicationinformation from the terminal, the first CN network element may send thesecond indication information to at least one of the following: a secondCN network element and a RAN network element. For example, when thefirst CN network element switches to the second CN network element, orduring a process that the second CN network element obtains the contextof the first CN network element, the first CN network element sends thesecond indication information to the second CN network element.

Further, the mapping the terminal capability based on the secondindication information of the terminal capability may include at leastone of the following:

mapping the terminal capability based on terminal model information andassistance information for capability indication; and

mapping the terminal capability based on capability identificationinformation.

In an implementation, capabilities of different network types of theterminal may correspond to different capability assistance information.Different capability identifications in conjunction with terminal modelinformation may map different terminal capabilities.

In an implementation, capabilities of different network types of theterminal may correspond to different capability identificationinformation. Different capability identification information may mapdifferent terminal capabilities.

It can be understood that in this embodiment of this disclosure,replacing terminal capability reporting with the terminal capabilityindication information can optimize terminal capability signaling andreduce overheads resulting from terminal capability reporting. Inaddition, a plurality of types of assistance information for capabilityindication or a plurality of terminal capability identificationinformation are set, and when a specific condition is satisfied, theassistance information for capability indication or the terminalcapability identification information matching the condition can beprovided, so as to meet a requirement that the same terminal orterminals of a same model correspond to different terminal capabilitiesin different conditions.

In an implementation, the terminal model information and assistanceinformation for capability indication are used to replace terminalcapability reporting. When corresponding terminal capabilities of theterminal in different applicable ranges (which may also be referred toas conditions) are different, the terminal may be configured withdifferent assistance information for capability indication, to ensurethat the terminal model information and the assistance information forcapability indication correspond to the terminal capability. Theterminal may send different assistance information for capabilityindication in different conditions. When a specific condition issatisfied, the terminal sends the assistance information for capabilityindication matching the condition. The network obtains the terminalcapability by mapping the assistance information for capabilityindication.

In another implementation, the capability identification information isused to replace terminal capability reporting. When the terminal is indifferent applicable ranges (which may also be referred to asconditions), the same terminal may be configured with a plurality ofpieces of capability identification information, to ensure that theterminal capability identification information corresponds to theterminal capability. The terminal may send different capabilityidentification information in different conditions. When a specificcondition is satisfied, the terminal sends the capability identificationinformation matching the condition. The network obtains the terminalcapability by mapping the capability identification information.

With reference to FIG. 3 , an embodiment of this disclosure furtherprovides a capability indication method, applied to a communicationsdevice and including the following steps.

Step 301: Obtain terminal capability related information.

Step 302: Assign first information to a terminal based on the terminalcapability related information.

The first information may include at least one of the following: firstindication information of the terminal capability, and terminalcapability information mapped to the first indication information.

Optionally, the terminal capability related information may include atleast one of the following: terminal model information, assistanceinformation for capability indication, and terminal capabilityinformation.

In an implementation, the terminal capabilities of different terminalsof a same model may be the terminal capabilities of a category or theterminal capabilities of a plurality of categories.

In an implementation, the terminal capability of a same terminal may bethe terminal capabilities of a category or the terminal capabilities ofa plurality of categories.

Content included in the first indication information of the terminalcapability may be described in the embodiment of FIG. 1 .

Optionally, the first indication information of the terminal capabilitymay include at least one of the following: terminal model information,assistance information for capability indication, and terminalcapability identification information.

In an implementation, the first indication information of the terminalcapability includes terminal model information and assistanceinformation for capability indication. The terminal model informationand the assistance information for capability indication may correspondto the terminal capability. The terminal capabilities of differentterminals of a same model may be different. The terminal capability of asame terminal may be different in a different applicable range (orreferred to as a condition). A same terminal may include one or morepieces of assistance information for capability indication. In order toenable mapping of the terminal capability in a specific condition, theassistance information for capability indication assigned to a terminalin corresponding different conditions may be different, and may be usedfor different terminal capabilities in corresponding differentconditions. Different assistance information for capability indicationmay indicate different terminal capabilities. It is easy to understandthat when a terminal has different terminal capabilities in differentconditions, a plurality of pieces of assistance information forcapability indication may be assigned to the terminal. When a specificcondition is satisfied, the terminal may include, in the secondindication information, assistance information for capability indicationcorresponding to the terminal capability in the condition.

In another implementation, the first indication information of theterminal capability includes terminal capability identificationinformation. The terminal capability identification information maycorrespond to the terminal capability. The terminal capabilities ofdifferent terminals of a same model may be different. The terminalcapability of a same terminal may be different in a different applicablerange (or referred to as a condition). A same terminal may include oneor more pieces of the terminal capability identification information. Inorder to enable mapping of the terminal capability in a specificcondition, the terminal capability identification information assignedfor the terminal capability in corresponding different conditions may bedifferent. Different terminal capability identification information mayindicate different terminal capabilities. It is easy to understand thatwhen a terminal has different terminal capabilities in differentconditions, a plurality of pieces of terminal capability identificationinformation may be assigned to the terminal. When a specific conditionis satisfied, the terminal may include terminal capabilityidentification information corresponding to the terminal capability inthe condition in the second indication information.

In an implementation, the assistance information for capabilityindication of different terminals may be the same. The capabilityidentification information of different terminals may be the same.Specifically, when different terminals have a same capability, therespective corresponding capability assistance information may be thesame; and when different terminals have a same capability, therespective capability identification information may be the same.

Optionally, assigning first information to a terminal based on theterminal capability related information may include at least one of thefollowing:

assigning to the terminal the first indication information (such asterminal capability identification information and/or applicable rangeinformation of the capability identification information) correspondingto the terminal capability based on the terminal model information andthe assistance information for capability indication;

assigning to the terminal the first indication information correspondingto a terminal capability (such as terminal capability identificationinformation and/or applicable range information of the capabilityidentification information) based on the assistance information forcapability indication; and

assigning to the terminal the first indication information correspondingto a terminal capability (such as terminal capability identificationinformation and/or applicable range information of the capabilityidentification information or assistance information for capabilityindication) based on the terminal model capability.

In an implementation, when the terminal has a plurality of terminalcapabilities, the first indication information (such as terminalcapability identification information and/or applicable rangeinformation of the capability identification information) correspondingto the terminal capability may be assigned to the terminal based on theterminal model information and the assistance information for capabilityindication.

In an implementation, when the terminal has a plurality of terminalcapabilities, the first indication information (such as terminalcapability identification information and/or applicable rangeinformation of the capability identification information) correspondingto the terminal capability may be assigned to the terminal based on theassistance information for capability indication.

In an implementation, when the terminal has a plurality of terminalcapabilities, the first indication information (such as terminalcapability identification information and/or applicable rangeinformation of the capability identification information or theassistance information for capability indication) corresponding to theterminal capability may be assigned to the terminal based on theterminal capability information.

In an implementation, the capability identification information and/orapplicable range of the capability identification informationcorresponding to different terminal capabilities may be assigned basedon terminal capabilities of different categories. In anotherimplementation, the assistance information for capability indicationcorresponding to different terminal capabilities may be assigned basedon terminal capabilities of different categories. The capabilityassistance information may also reflect applicable range of acapability.

Optionally, the assistance information for capability indication mayinclude at least one of the following: information of a card slotcorresponding to a capability, information of a card corresponding tothe capability, information of a serving network corresponding to acapability, information of a network type corresponding to a capability,and capability type indication information. The specific content isdescribed in the embodiment of FIG. 1 .

In an implementation, the first indication information of the terminalcapability corresponding to different information of a card slot may beassigned. Specifically, when the terminal capabilities corresponding todifferent card slots are different, the corresponding first indicationinformation may also be different.

In an implementation, when the terminal capabilities corresponding todifferent cards are different, the first indication information of theterminal capability corresponding to different information of a card maybe assigned. Specifically, when the terminal capabilities correspondingto different cards are different, the corresponding first indicationinformation may also be different.

In an implementation, the first indication information of the terminalcapability corresponding to different serving networks may be assigned.Specifically, when the terminal capabilities corresponding to differentserving networks are different, the corresponding first indicationinformation may also be different.

Optionally, when terminal capabilities of a plurality of categories arepresent in a same terminal, the terminal may be configured with aplurality of pieces of terminal capability identification informationand applicable range of each piece of terminal capability identificationinformation. The applicable range information of the terminal capabilityidentification information may be embodied as an applicable condition ofthe terminal capability identification information.

In an implementation, the first indication information of the terminalcapability corresponding to different network types may be assigned.Specifically, when the terminal capabilities corresponding to differentnetwork types are different, the corresponding first indicationinformation may also be different.

In an implementation, the first indication information may includeapplicable range information of the capability identificationinformation. In another implementation, the applicable range informationof the capability identification information is included in a structureof the capability identifier. It is easy to understand that when theterminal is assigned with a plurality of pieces of capabilityidentification information, the terminal may send capabilityidentification information based on the applicable range information ofthe capability identification information. When a specific condition issatisfied, the terminal capability identification informationcorresponding to the specific condition can be sent.

Further, the terminal capability may be a terminal capabilitycorresponding to any one of a serving network, a card, a card slot, anda network type, or a combination thereof. The first indicationinformation of the terminal capability may be the first indicationinformation of the terminal capability corresponding to any one of aserving network, a card, a card slot, and a network type, or acombination thereof. For example, the terminal capability identificationinformation of the China Mobile primary card is 21, 31, and 41, whichmay be respectively mapped to the 2G network capability, the 3G networkcapability and the 4G network capability that the terminal has whenaccessing the China Mobile network through the primary card. Forexample, the terminal capability identification information of the ChinaMobile secondary card is 22, 32, and 42, which may be respectivelymapped to the 2G network capability, the 3G network capability and the4G network capability that the terminal has when accessing the ChinaMobile network through the secondary card.

Optionally, when terminal capabilities of a plurality of categories arepresent in a same terminal, the terminal may be configured with aplurality of pieces of terminal assistance information for capabilityindication.

It should be noted that the foregoing communications device may be asecond network-side network element, an OAM, or a terminal manufacturerdevice. The second network-side network element may be the same as thefirst network-side network element, or may be different.

It should be noted that there may be one or more pieces of the firstindication information of the terminal capability of a same terminal ordifferent terminals of a same model. There may be one or more pieces ofthe terminal assistance information for capability indication of a sameterminal or different terminals of a same model. There may be one ormore pieces of the terminal capability identification information of asame terminal or different terminals of a same model.

Further, after step 302, the method may further include: sending thefirst information to a second target end.

In an embodiment of this disclosure, optionally, assigning firstinformation to a terminal in step 302 may include: assigning the firstinformation to the terminal based on a capability indication strategy.

It should be noted that the second network-side network element may beone of the following: a RAN network element, and a CN network element.The CN network element may be one of the following: an AMF, a PCF, aPCRF, an OAM, a capability management function network element, and thelike. Because the strategy assignment is involved, PCF engagement may berequired by the second network-side network element, or one capabilitymanagement function network element may be added for unified management.

The second target end may include at least one of the following: a RANnetwork element, a CN network element, and a terminal.

Specifically, when it is a terminal manufacturer device that assigns theinformation, the second target end may include at least one of thefollowing: a RAN network element, and a CN network element; when it is aCN network element that assigns the information, the second target endmay include at least one of the following: a RAN network element, and aterminal; and when it is a RAN network element that assigns theinformation, the second target end may include at least one of thefollowing: a CN network element and a terminal.

It can be understood that in this embodiment of this disclosure,replacing terminal capability reporting with the terminal capabilityindication information can achieve an effect of optimizing and reducingterminal capability reporting. Further, this can not only ensure correctmapping of the terminal capability based on the capability indicationinformation and also meet a requirement that the same terminalcorresponds to different terminal capabilities in different conditions.

Some specific embodiments of this disclosure are described below indetails with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 8 .

With reference to FIG. 4 , an embodiment of this disclosure mainlydescribes a process of sending second indication information of theterminal capability to a RAN network element by a terminal. As shown inFIG. 4 , a corresponding sending process may include the followingsteps.

Step 41: A terminal sends a NAS message to a CN network element througha RAN network element, where the NAS message may include the secondindication information of the terminal capability.

It can be understood that the CN network element may map the networkcapability of the terminal based on the second indication information ofthe terminal capability. The CN network element may be one of thefollowing: an AMF, a PCF, a PCRF, an OAM, a capability managementfunction network element, and the like.

The second indication information of the terminal capability may includeat least one of the following: terminal model information, assistanceinformation for capability indication, and terminal capabilityidentification information. Further, the terminal model information maybe described in the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the assistance informationfor capability indication may be described in the embodiment of FIG. 1 ,and the terminal capability identification information may be describedin the embodiment of FIG. 1 . Details are not described herein again.

In an implementation, the terminal may send the second indicationinformation of the terminal capability based on the capabilityindication information sending strategy.

Step 42: The CN network element sends the second indication informationof the terminal capability to the RAN network element through an NGmessage or an S1 message.

It can be understood that the RAN network element may map a terminalradio capability based on the second indication information of theterminal capability.

With reference to FIG. 5 , an embodiment of this disclosure mainlydescribes a process of sending second indication information of theterminal capability to a CN network element by a terminal. As shown inFIG. 5 , a corresponding sending process may include the followingsteps.

Step 51: A terminal sends a NAS message to a RAN network element, wherethe NAS message may include the second indication information of theterminal capability.

It can be understood that the RAN network element may map a terminalradio capability based on the second indication information of theterminal capability.

The second indication information of the terminal capability may includeat least one of the following: terminal model information, assistanceinformation for capability indication, and terminal capabilityidentification information. Further, the terminal model information maybe described in the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the assistance informationfor capability indication may be described in the embodiment of FIG. 1 ,and the terminal capability identification information may be describedin the embodiment of FIG. 1 . Details are not described herein again.

In an implementation, the terminal may send the second indicationinformation of the terminal capability based on the capabilityindication information sending strategy.

Step 52: The RAN network element sends the second indication informationof the terminal capability to a CN network element through an NG messageor an S1 message.

It can be understood that the CN network element may be one of thefollowing: an AMF, a PCF, a PCRF, an OAM, a capability managementfunction network element, and the like. The CN network element mayexecute at least one of the following: saving the second capabilityinformation of the terminal capability, and mapping the terminal radiocapability based on the second indication information of the terminalcapability.

With reference to FIG. 6 , an embodiment of this disclosure mainlydescribes a process of assigning first information to a terminal by a CNnetwork element. As shown in FIG. 6 , a corresponding assigning processmay include the following steps.

Step 61: A terminal sends a NAS message to a CN network element througha RAN network element, where the NAS message may include terminalcapability related information.

It can be understood that the terminal capability related informationmay include at least one of the following: terminal model information,assistance information for capability indication, and terminalcapability information.

Step 62: The CN network element assigns first information to a terminalbased on the terminal capability related information, and sends thefirst information to the RAN network element through an NG message or anS1 message.

Optionally, the first information may include the first indicationinformation of the terminal capability. The first indication informationof the terminal capability may be described in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

It can be understood that the CN network element may be one of thefollowing: an AMF, a PCF, a PCRF, an OAM, a capability managementfunction network element, and the like.

Step 63: The RAN network element may map the terminal radio capabilitybased on the first information, and may send at least one of thefollowing to the terminal: the first information, and an RRC message,where the RRC message includes the first information.

With reference to FIG. 7 , an embodiment of this disclosure mainlydescribes a process of assigning first information to a terminal by aRAN network element. As shown in FIG. 7 , a corresponding assigningprocess may include the following steps.

Step 71: A terminal sends an RRC message to a RAN network element, wherethe RRC message includes terminal capability related information.

It can be understood that the terminal capability related informationmay include at least one of the following: terminal model information,assistance information for capability indication, and terminalcapability information, as described in the embodiment of FIG. 3 .

Step 72: The RAN network element assigns first information to a terminalbased on the terminal capability related information, and sends an NGmessage or an S1 message to a CN network element, where the NG messageor the S1 message includes the first information.

Optionally, the NG message or the S1 message may be an initial terminalmessage or a terminal capability information message. The firstinformation may include the first indication information of the terminalcapability. The first indication information of the terminal capabilitymay be described in the embodiment of FIG. 1 .

It can be understood that the CN network element may be one of thefollowing: an AMF, a PCF, a PCRF, an OAM, a capability managementfunction network element, and the like. The CN network element may mapthe terminal radio capability based on the first information.

Step 73: The RAN network element sends an RRC message to the terminal,where the RRC message may include the first information.

It should be noted that in a specific implementation, step 73 may beperformed previous to step 72.

With reference to FIG. 8 , an embodiment of this disclosure mainlydescribes a process of assigning first information to a terminal by a CNnetwork element. As shown in FIG. 8 , a corresponding assigning processmay include the following steps.

Step 81: A terminal sends a NAS message to a first CN network elementthrough a RAN network element, where the NAS message may includeterminal capability related information.

It can be understood that the terminal capability related informationmay be described in the embodiment of FIG. 3 . The first CN networkelement may be one of the following: an AMF, a PCF, an MME, a PCRF, andthe like.

Step 82: The first CN network element sends the terminal capabilityrelated information to a second CN network element.

For example, the second CN network element may be a capabilitymanagement function network element.

Step 83: The second CN network element assigns first information to theterminal based on the terminal capability related information, and sendsthe first information to the first CN network element.

Optionally, the first information may be described in the embodiment ofFIG. 1 .

Step 84: The first CN network element may send the first information tothe RAN network element through an NG message or an S1 message.

Step 85: The RAN network element may map the terminal radio capabilitybased on the first information, and may send an RRC message to theterminal, where the RRC message includes the first information.

The foregoing embodiment describes the capability indication method inthis disclosure, and the following describes a terminal and anetwork-side network element in this disclosure with reference to theembodiments and the drawings.

With reference to FIG. 9 , an embodiment of this disclosure furtherprovides a terminal 9, including:

a first obtaining module 91, configured to obtain first information,where the first information includes at least one of the following:first indication information of a terminal capability, and terminalcapability information mapped to the first indication information; and

a sending module 92, configured to send second indication information ofthe terminal capability based on the first information.

It should be noted that the first indication information of the terminalcapability and the second indication information of the terminalcapability may be described in the embodiment of FIG. 1 . For example,the first indication information of the terminal capability may includeat least one of the following: terminal model information, assistanceinformation for capability indication, and terminal capabilityidentification information. The second indication information of theterminal capability may include at least one of the following: terminalmodel information, assistance information for capability indication, andterminal capability identification information.

Optionally, the sending module 92 is specifically configured to:

send the second indication information of the terminal capability basedon the first information and access information of the terminal.

The access information of the terminal includes at least one of thefollowing: a serving network that the terminal accesses, a location of acard for accessing the serving network by the terminal, a card slot inwhich a card for accessing the serving network by the terminal islocated, the Nth card through which the terminal accesses the servingnetwork, and a network type of the serving network that the terminalaccesses.

It should be noted that a process of sending the second indicationinformation of the terminal capability by the terminal may be describedin the embodiment of FIG. 1 . Details are not described herein again.

Optionally, the sending module 92 is specifically configured to:

when a terminal accesses a network, send second indication informationof the terminal capability; or

when the network requests for terminal capability information, send thesecond indication information of the terminal capability.

Optionally, the terminal capability may include at least one of thefollowing: a UE core network capability and a UE radio capability.

It can be understood that in this embodiment of this disclosure,replacing terminal capability reporting with the terminal capabilityindication information can achieve an effect of optimizing and reducingterminal capability reporting. Further, this can not only ensure correctmapping of the terminal capability based on the capability indicationinformation and also meet a requirement that the same terminalcorresponds to different terminal capabilities in different conditions.

With reference to FIG. 10 , an embodiment of this disclosure furtherprovides a network-side network element 10. The network-side networkelement 10 specifically may be a first network-side network element,including:

a second obtaining module 11, configured to obtain second indicationinformation of a terminal capability; and

an execution module 12, configured to perform at least one of thefollowing operations based on the second indication information of theterminal capability:

mapping the terminal capability based on the second indicationinformation of the terminal capability, saving the second indicationinformation of the terminal capability, and sending the secondindication information of the terminal capability to a first target end.

It should be noted that the second indication information of theterminal capability may be described in the embodiment of FIG. 1 . Forexample, the second indication information of the terminal capabilitymay include at least one of the following: terminal model information,assistance information for capability indication, and terminalcapability identification information.

It can be understood that in this embodiment of this disclosure,replacing terminal capability reporting with the terminal capabilityindication information can achieve an effect of optimizing and reducingterminal capability reporting. Further, this can not only ensure correctmapping of the terminal capability based on the capability indicationinformation and also meet a requirement that the same terminalcorresponds to different terminal capabilities in different conditions.

With reference to FIG. 11 , an embodiment of this disclosure furtherprovides a communications device 110, including:

a third obtaining module 111, configured to obtain terminal capabilityrelated information; and

an assigning module 112, configured to assign first information to aterminal based on the terminal capability related information, where thefirst information includes at least one of the following: firstindication information of a terminal capability, and terminal capabilityinformation mapped to the first indication information.

It should be noted that the first indication information of the terminalcapability may be described in the embodiment of FIG. 1 . For example,the first indication information of the terminal capability may includeat least one of the following: terminal model information, assistanceinformation for capability indication, and terminal capabilityidentification information.

The terminal capability related information may be described in theembodiment of FIG. 3 . For example, the terminal capability relatedinformation may include at least one of the following: terminal modelinformation, assistance information for capability indication, andterminal capability information.

Optionally, the assigning module 112 may be specifically configured to:

assign the first indication information of the terminal capability tothe terminal based on the terminal model information and the assistanceinformation for capability indication;

assign the first indication information of the terminal capability tothe terminal based on the assistance information for capabilityindication; and

assign the first indication information of the terminal capability tothe terminal based on the terminal capability information.

Optionally, the communications device 110 may be a second network-sidenetwork element, an OAM, or a terminal manufacturer device. The secondnetwork-side network element may be the same as the first network-sidenetwork element 10, or may be different.

It can be understood that in this embodiment of this disclosure,replacing terminal capability reporting with the terminal capabilityindication information can achieve an effect of optimizing and reducingterminal capability reporting. Further, this can not only ensure correctmapping of the terminal capability based on the capability indicationinformation and also meet a requirement that the same terminalcorresponds to different terminal capabilities in different conditions.

An embodiment of this disclosure further provides a terminal, including:a processor, a memory, and a computer program stored in the memory andcapable of running on the processor. When the computer program isexecuted by the processor, the processes of the foregoing embodiments ofthe capability indication method applied to a terminal are implemented,with the same technical effect achieved. To avoid repetition, detailsare not described herein again.

Specifically, FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a hardware structure ofa terminal for implementing the embodiments of this disclosure. Theterminal 1200 includes but is not limited to components such as a radiofrequency unit 1201, a network module 1202, an audio output unit 1203,an input unit 1204, a sensor 1205, a display unit 1206, a user inputunit 1207, an interface unit 1208, a memory 1209, a processor 1210, anda power supply 1211. A person skilled in the art may understand that thestructure of the terminal shown in FIG. 12 does not constitute alimitation on the terminal. The terminal may include more or fewercomponents than those shown in the figure, or some components arecombined, or component arrangements are different. In this embodiment ofthis disclosure, the terminal includes but is not limited to a mobilephone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palmtop computer, anin-vehicle terminal, a wearable device, a pedometer, or the like.

The processor 1210 is configured to obtain first information, where thefirst information includes at least one of the following: firstindication information of a terminal capability, and terminal capabilityinformation mapped to the first indication information.

The radio frequency unit 1201 is configured to send second indicationinformation of the terminal capability based on the first information.

It can be understood that in this embodiment of this disclosure,replacing terminal capability reporting with the terminal capabilityindication information can achieve an effect of optimizing and reducingterminal capability reporting. Further, this can not only ensure correctmapping of the terminal capability based on the capability indicationinformation and also meet a requirement that the same terminalcorresponds to different terminal capabilities in different conditions.

It should be understood that in this embodiment of this disclosure, theradio frequency unit 1201 may be configured to: receive and send signalsin an information receiving/sending process or a call process; andspecifically, after receiving downlink data from a base station, sendthe downlink data to the processor 1201 for processing, and, send uplinkdata to the base station. Generally, the radio frequency unit 1201includes but is not limited to an antenna, at least one amplifier, atransceiver, a coupler, a low noise amplifier, a duplexer, and the like.In addition, the radio frequency unit 1201 may further communicate witha network and another device through a wireless communications system.

The terminal provides wireless broadband Internet access for a user byusing the network module 1202, for example, helping the user to send andreceive emails, to browse web pages, and to access streaming media.

The audio output unit 1203 may convert audio data received by the radiofrequency unit 1201 or the network module 1202 or stored in the memory1209 into an audio signal and output the audio signal as a sound. Inaddition, the audio output unit 1203 may further provide audio output(for example, a call signal reception tone or a message reception tone)that is related to a specific function performed by the terminal 1200.The audio output unit 1203 includes a speaker, a buzzer, a telephonereceiver, and the like.

The input unit 1204 is configured to receive an audio or video signal.The input unit 1204 may include a graphics processing unit (GPU) 12041and a microphone 12042, and the graphics processing unit 12041 processesimage data of a static picture or a video obtained by an image captureapparatus (for example, a camera) in an image capture mode or a videocapture mode. A processed image frame may be displayed on the displayunit 1206. An image frame processed by the graphics processing unit12041 may be stored in the memory 1209 (or another storage medium) orsent by the radio frequency unit 1201 or the network module 1202. Themicrophone 12042 can receive a sound and can process the sound intoaudio data. The processed audio data can be converted, for outputting,into a format that can be sent to a mobile communication base stationthrough the radio frequency unit 1201 in a telephone call mode.

The terminal 1200 further includes at least one sensor 1205, forexample, an optical sensor, a motion sensor, and another sensor.Specifically, the optical sensor includes an ambient light sensor and aproximity sensor. The ambient light sensor may adjust brightness of adisplay panel 12061 based on intensity of ambient light. When theterminal 1200 moves near an ear, the proximity sensor may disable thedisplay panel 12061 and/or backlight. As a motion sensor, anaccelerometer sensor may detect for a value of an acceleration invarious directions (there are usually three axes), may detect for avalue and a direction of gravity when the terminal is static, and may beconfigured to recognize a posture of the terminal (for example,landscape/portrait mode switching, a related game, or magnetometerposture calibration), provide a function related to vibrationrecognition (for example, a pedometer or a keystroke), or the like. Thesensor 1205 may further include a fingerprint sensor, a pressure sensor,an iris sensor, a molecular sensor, a gyroscope, a barometer, ahygrometer, a thermometer, or an infrared sensor. Details are notdescribed herein.

The display unit 1206 is configured to display information input by theuser or information provided for the user. The display unit 1206 mayinclude a display panel 12061, and the display panel 12061 may beconfigured in the form of a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organiclight-emitting diode (OLED), or the like.

The user input unit 1207 may be configured to receive input digit orcharacter information, and generate a key signal input related to a usersetting and function control of the terminal. Specifically, the userinput unit 1207 includes a touch panel 12071 and other input devices12072. The touch panel 12071, also referred to as a touchscreen, maycapture a touch operation performed by a user on or near the touch panel(for example, an operation performed by the user on the touch panel12071 or near the touch panel 12071 by using any appropriate object oraccessory such as a finger or a stylus). The touch panel 12071 mayinclude two parts: a touch detection apparatus and a touch controller.The touch detection apparatus detects a touch direction of the user,detects a signal carried by a touch operation, and transmits the signalto the touch controller. The touch controller receives touch informationfrom the touch detection apparatus, converts the touch information topoint coordinates, and sends the point coordinates to the processor1210, and receives and executes a command sent by the processor 1210. Inaddition, the touch panel 12071 may be implemented in a plurality offorms, for example, as a resistive, capacitive, infrared, or surfaceacoustic wave touch panel. The user input unit 1207 may further includeother input devices 12072 in addition to the touch panel 12071.Specifically, the other input devices 12072 may include but are notlimited to a physical keyboard, a function key (such as a volume controlkey or a power on/off key), a trackball, a mouse, a joystick, and thelike. Details are not described herein again.

Further, the touch panel 12071 may cover the display panel 12061. Afterdetecting a touch operation on or near the touch panel 12071, the touchpanel 12071 transmits the touch operation to the processor 1210 todetermine a type of a touch event. Then the processor 1210 providescorresponding visual output on the display panel 12061 based on the typeof the touch event. In FIG. 12 , the touch panel 12071 and the displaypanel 12061 serve as two independent components to implement input andoutput functions of the terminal. However, in some embodiments, thetouch panel 12071 and the display panel 12061 may be integrated toimplement the input and output functions of the terminal. This is notspecifically limited herein.

The interface unit 1208 is an interface for connecting an externalapparatus to the terminal 1200. For example, the external apparatus mayinclude a wired or wireless headphone port, an external power (orbattery charger) port, a wired or wireless data port, a memory cardport, a port for connecting an apparatus having an identificationmodule, an audio input/output (I/O) port, a video I/O port, an earphoneport, and the like. The interface unit 1208 may be configured to receiveinput (for example, data information and electric power) from theexternal apparatus, and transmit the received input to one or moreelements in the terminal 1200; or may be configured to transmit databetween the terminal 1200 and the external apparatus.

The memory 1209 may be configured to store a software program andvarious data. The memory 1209 may mainly include a program storage areaand a data storage area. The program storage area may store an operatingsystem, an application program required for at least one function (suchas a sound play function and an image play function), and the like. Thedata storage area may store data (such as audio data and a phone book)created based on use of a mobile phone, and the like. In addition, thememory 1209 may include a high-speed random access memory, or mayinclude a non-volatile memory, for example, at least one magnetic diskstorage device, a flash memory device, or other volatile solid-statestorage devices.

The processor 1210 is a control center of the terminal, connects variousparts of the entire terminal by using various interfaces and lines, andexecutes various functions and data processing of the terminal byrunning or executing a software program and/or a module stored in thememory 1209 and invoking data stored in the memory 1209, so as toperform overall monitoring on the terminal. The processor 1210 mayinclude one or more processing units. Optionally, the processor 1210 mayintegrate an application processor and a modem processor. Theapplication processor mainly processes an operating system, a userinterface, an application program, and the like. The modem processormainly processes wireless communication. It may be understood that themodem processor may alternatively not be integrated into the processor1210.

The terminal 1200 may further include a power supply 1211 (for example,a battery) that supplies power to each component. Optionally, the powersupply 1211 may be logically connected to the processor 1210 by using apower management system, so as to implement functions such as chargingmanagement, discharging management, and power consumption management byusing the power management system.

In addition, the terminal 1200 may include some functional modules thatare not shown. Details are not described herein again.

An embodiment of this disclosure further provides a network-side networkelement, including: a processor, a memory, and a computer program storedin the memory and capable of running on the processor. When the computerprogram is executed by the processor, the processes of the foregoingembodiments of the capability indication method applied to anetwork-side network element are implemented, with the same technicaleffect achieved. To avoid repetition, details are not described hereinagain.

Specifically, FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a hardware structure ofa network-side network element for implementing the embodiments of thisdisclosure. The network-side network element 130 includes but is notlimited to: a bus 131, a transceiver 132, an antenna 133, a businterface 134, a processor 135, and a memory 136.

In this embodiment of this disclosure, the network-side network element130 further includes: a computer program stored on the memory 136 andcapable of running on the processor 135. When the computer program isexecuted by the processor 135, the following steps may be implemented:

obtaining second indication information of a terminal capability; and

performing at least one of the following operations based on the secondindication information of the terminal capability:

mapping the terminal capability based on the second indicationinformation of the terminal capability, saving the second indicationinformation of the terminal capability, and sending the secondindication information of the terminal capability to a first target end.

Alternatively, when the computer program is executed by the processor135, the following steps may further be implemented:

obtaining terminal capability related information; and

assigning first information to a terminal based on the terminalcapability related information, where the first information includes atleast one of the following: first indication information of a terminalcapability, and terminal capability information mapped to the firstindication information.

The transceiver 132 is configured to receive and send data under controlof the processor 135.

In FIG. 13 , a bus architecture (represented by the bus 131) may includeany quantity of interconnected buses and bridges, and the bus 131 linkstogether various circuits of one or more processors represented by theprocessor 135 and a memory represented by the memory 136. The bus 131may further connect various other circuits such as a peripheral device,a voltage stabilizer, and a power management circuit. These are all wellknown in the art, and therefore are not further described in thisspecification. The bus interface 134 provide an interface between thebus 131 and the transceiver 132. The transceiver 132 may be an element,or may be a plurality of elements, for example, a plurality of receiversand transmitters, providing a unit for communicating with various otherapparatuses on a transmission medium. Data processed by the processor135 are transmitted over a wireless medium by using the antenna 133.Further, the antenna 133 also receives data and transmits the data tothe processor 135.

The processor 135 is responsible for managing the bus 131 and generalprocessing, and may further provide various functions, including timing,peripheral interfacing, voltage regulation, power management, andanother control function. The memory 136 may be configured to store datathat the processor 135 uses when performing an operation.

Optionally, the processor 135 may be a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a CPLD.

An embodiment of this disclosure further provides a computer-readablestorage medium, where the computer-readable storage medium stores acomputer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor,the processes of the foregoing embodiments of the capability indicationmethod are implemented, with the same technical effects achieved. Toavoid repetition, details are not described herein again. Thecomputer-readable storage medium is, for example, a read-only memory(ROM for short), a random access memory (RAM for short), a magneticdisk, an optical disc, or the like.

It should be noted that in this specification, the term “comprise”,“include”, or any other variant thereof is intended to cover anon-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, a method, an article, or anapparatus that includes a list of elements not only includes thoseelements but also includes other elements that are not expressly listed,or further includes elements inherent to such a process, method,article, or apparatus. In absence of more constraints, an elementpreceded by “includes a . . . ” does not preclude existence of otheridentical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus thatincludes the element.

According to the description of the foregoing implementations, a personskilled in the art can clearly understand that the method in theforegoing embodiments may be implemented by software on a necessaryuniversal hardware platform or by hardware only. In most cases, theformer is a more preferred implementation. Based on such anunderstanding, the technical solutions of this disclosure essentially ora part thereof that contributes to related technologies may be embodiedin a form of a software product. The computer software product is storedin a storage medium (for example, a ROM/RAM, a magnetic disk, or anoptical disc), and includes several instructions for instructing aterminal (which may be a mobile phone, a computer, a server, an airconditioner, a network-side network element, or the like) to perform themethods described in the embodiments of this disclosure. An electronichardware includes but is not limited to an electronic circuit, anapplication specific integrated circuit, a programmable logic device, aprogrammable processor, and the like.

The foregoing describes the embodiments of this disclosure withreference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure is notlimited to the foregoing specific implementations. The foregoingspecific implementations are merely illustrative rather thanrestrictive. In light of this disclosure, persons of ordinary skill inthe art may develop many other manners without departing from principlesof this disclosure and the protection scope of the claims, and all suchmanners fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising acomputer program stored thereon; wherein the computer program isexecuted by a processor to perform: sending terminal capability relatedinformation; wherein the terminal capability related informationincludes terminal model information, and the terminal model informationincludes a type allocation code (TAC); obtaining first informationassigned by a communications device based on the terminal capabilityrelated information, wherein the first information comprises at leastone of the following: first indication information of a terminalcapability, or terminal capability information mapped to the firstindication information; and the first indication information of theterminal capability includes terminal capability identificationinformation.
 2. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim1, wherein the first indication information of the terminal capabilityfurther comprises at least one of the following: terminal modelinformation, or assistance information for capability indication; andwherein the terminal model information further comprises at least one ofthe following: an identifier of terminal manufacturer, or a softwareversion number.
 3. The computer-readable storage medium according toclaim 2, wherein the assistance information for capability indicationcomprises at least one of the following: information of a card slotcorresponding to a capability, information of a card corresponding to acapability, information of a serving network corresponding to acapability, information of a network type corresponding to a capability,or capability type indication information.
 4. The computer-readablestorage medium according to claim 3, wherein the capability typeindication information comprises at least one of the following: radiocapability indication information or network capability indicationinformation.
 5. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim3, wherein the information of a card slot corresponding to a capabilitycomprises at least one of the following: identification information of acard slot, a serial number of a corresponding card slot, information ofa first card slot, information of a second card slot, indicationinformation indicating a primary card slot or a secondary card slot,indication information of whether the capability is applicable to allcard slots, or indication information of whether the capability isindiscriminate between card slots.
 6. The computer-readable storagemedium according to claim 3, wherein the information of a cardcorresponding to a capability comprises at least one of the following: aserial number of a card, a serial number of a card slot in which a cardis located, indication information indicating a primary card or asecondary card, indication information of whether the capability isapplicable to all cards, or indication information of whether thecapability is indiscriminate between cards.
 7. The computer-readablestorage medium according to claim 3, wherein the information of aserving network corresponding to a capability comprises at least one ofthe following: network identification information of a serving network,indication information of whether the capability is applicable to allserving networks, or indication information of whether the capability isindiscriminate between serving networks.
 8. The computer-readablestorage medium according to claim 3, wherein the information of anetwork type corresponding to a capability comprises at least one of thefollowing: a network type, indication information of whether thecapability is applicable to all network types, or indication informationof whether the capability is indiscriminate between network types. 9.The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 2, wherein theterminal capability identification information comprises at least one ofthe following: a capability identifier or applicable range informationof the capability identifier; wherein the applicable range informationof the capability identifier comprises at least one of the following:information of a card corresponding to the capability identifier,information of a card slot corresponding to the capability identifier,information of a serving network corresponding to the capabilityidentifier, or information of a network type corresponding to thecapability identifier; wherein the information of a card correspondingto the capability identifier comprises at least one of the following: aserial number of a card, information of a card slot in which the card islocated, indication information indicating a primary card or a secondarycard, indication information of whether the capability is applicable toall cards, or indication information of whether the capability isindiscriminate between cards; wherein the information of a card slotcorresponding to the capability identifier comprises at least one of thefollowing: identification information of a card slot, a serial number ofa card slot, information of a first card slot, information of a secondcard slot, indication information indicating a primary card slot or asecondary card slot, indication information of whether the capability isapplicable to all card slots, or indication information of whether thecapability is indiscriminate between card slots; wherein the informationof a serving network corresponding to the capability identifiercomprises at least one of the following: network identificationinformation of a serving network, indication information of whether thecapability identifier is applicable to all serving networks, orindication information of whether the capability identifier isindiscriminate between serving networks; wherein the information of anetwork type corresponding to the capability identifier comprises atleast one of the following: a network type, indication information ofwhether the capability identifier is applicable to all network types, orindication information of whether the capability identifier isindiscriminate between network types.
 10. The computer-readable storagemedium according to claim 1, wherein when sending terminal capabilityrelated information, the computer program is executed by the processorto perform: when the terminal accesses a network, sending the terminalcapability related information.
 11. The computer-readable storage mediumaccording to claim 1, wherein when sending terminal capability relatedinformation, the computer program is executed by the processor toperform: when the network requests for terminal capability information,sending the terminal capability related information.
 12. Thecomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein theterminal capability comprises at least one of the following: a UE corenetwork capability or a UE radio capability.
 13. The computer-readablestorage medium according to claim 1, wherein the terminal capabilityrelated information further comprises at least one of the following:assistance information for capability indication, and terminalcapability identification information.
 14. A communications device,comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in thememory and capable of running on the processor, wherein the computerprogram is executed by the processor to perform: obtaining terminalcapability related information; wherein the terminal capability relatedinformation includes terminal model information, and the terminal modelinformation includes a type allocation code (TAC); and assigning firstinformation to a terminal based on the terminal capability relatedinformation, wherein the first information comprises at least one of thefollowing: first indication information of a terminal capability, orterminal capability information mapped to the first indicationinformation; and the first indication information of the terminalcapability includes terminal capability identification information. 15.The communications device according to claim 14, wherein when assigningfirst information to a terminal based on the terminal capability relatedinformation, the computer program is executed by the processor toperform: assigning the first indication information of the terminalcapability to the terminal based on the terminal model information andthe assistance information for capability indication; assigning thefirst indication information of the terminal capability to the terminalbased on the assistance information for capability indication; orassigning the first indication information of the terminal capability tothe terminal based on the terminal capability information.
 16. Thecommunications device according to claim 14, wherein the terminalcapability related information further comprises at least one of thefollowing: assistance information for capability indication, andterminal capability identification information.
 17. The communicationsdevice according to claim 16, wherein the assistance information forcapability indication comprises at least one of the following:information of a card slot corresponding to a capability, information ofa card corresponding to a capability, information of a serving networkcorresponding to a capability, information of a network typecorresponding to a capability, or capability type indicationinformation.
 18. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising acomputer program stored thereon; wherein the computer program isexecuted by a processor to perform: obtaining terminal capabilityrelated information; wherein the terminal capability related informationincludes terminal model information, and the terminal model informationincludes a type allocation code (TAC); and assigning first informationto a terminal based on the terminal capability related information,wherein the first information comprises at least one of the following:first indication information of a terminal capability, or terminalcapability information mapped to the first indication information; andthe first indication information of the terminal capability includesterminal capability identification information.
 19. Thecomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 18, wherein whenassigning first information to a terminal based on the terminalcapability related information, the computer program is executed by theprocessor to perform: assigning the first indication information of theterminal capability to the terminal based on the terminal modelinformation and the assistance information for capability indication;assigning the first indication information of the terminal capability tothe terminal based on the assistance information for capabilityindication; or assigning the first indication information of theterminal capability to the terminal based on the terminal capabilityinformation.
 20. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim18, wherein the terminal capability related information furthercomprises at least one of the following: assistance information forcapability indication, and terminal capability identificationinformation.